Traveling abroad isn’t always easy. Add children to the mix, and you are then in a whole new ball game. There are many lodging options that families can choose from, and each one has something special to bring to the table. When traveling as a family, space is typically a major concern. On average a hotel room is about 325 square feet, which doesn’t leave much space for a small family of let’s say four, to move around and be content.

Vacation homes on the other hand provide an average of 1,300 square feet and provide so much more than just a place to lay your head. I have been to many hotels throughout my travels, and the truth of it is, many hotels simply aren’t geared for family travel. Between the expenses of eating out and leisure activities, it is easy for a family’s budget to be stretched beyond its limit. If you’re looking to rent a vacation home but don’t know where to start, avoid some stress and extra costs by planning ahead. Many vacation rentals are booked weeks, realistically, months ahead, so it’s a great idea to pin-point your travel dates as soon as know and book your rental. Know what you want before locking in a rental agreement. Do you want a pool included with the property, perhaps utilities? How about location, would you like a private property on secluded land, or in a park with other similar rentals and amenities? Prioritizing what you want in a vacation rental will keep costs down by allowing you to only pay for what you want out of the rental. Many rental homes come with optional amenities that you may be able to do without. Read the fine print carefully! The saying, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is, is a saying that should be engraved in your mind when signing this type of contract. Remember, you are not checking into a hotel or resort. This type of transaction is the same when renting an apartment. Watch for cleaning options, deposit requirements, conditions of rental, Internet, as well as utilities. Vacation rentals differ on location and fit practically any budget. This type of vacationing has long been a popular travel option in the UK as well as in Canada. In fact, there are beautiful holiday homes in Looe that not only offer spacious rentals, but family activities for any age range to get involved in. Dog lovers will be pleased to know that many vacation rentals welcome dogs, and other pets! If you are lucky, you can even find rentals that do not require an additional deposit for our furry friends. A major plus, when comparing hotel accommodations to this type of rental. The bottom line is that renting a vacation home doesn’t have to be expensive or stressing. Through proper planning and knowledge of whom you are renting from, you can vacation on a pretty decent budget that you can afford. With the steps mentioned you can ensure that your trip doesn’t crumble like the classic story of poor little ol’ humpty dumpty!

(Photo by ukgardenphotos via Flickr)

Sarah Perez Gutierrez is a Bilingual, mother of two, who loves everything writing and travel. She resides in central Ohio, and when she’s not working, she is typically trying to catch up on her long, lost television episodes of her favorite shows. Sarah wears many hats, but her main focus is virtual assisting others.

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